James I. Lee's Deed of Gifts - 1856

Sworn and subscribed to before me James I. Lee
January 1st 1856 F. F. Herring J.P.
Received for record the 3rd day of January A.D. 1856
Record duly recorded the ? day of January A.D. 1856
F. J. Whitley, clerk

Know all men by these present that I James I. Lee of Franklin County State of Mississippi, in consideration of the natural love and affection which I have and bear for my son James A. Lee and also for ? other good causes and considerations. And the said James I. Lee hereunto moving, have given, granted and confirmed and by these present do give grant and confirm unto the said James A. Lee my negro boy named BARNABY QUARLES aged about twenty two years, to have and to hold said negro boy aforesaid unto the said James A. Lee, his executors, administrators and ?, to the only purpose, use and behalf of the said James A. Lee his executors, administrators and ? forever. And I the said James A. Lee the said negro boy aforesaid to the said James A. Lee his executors administrators and ? against me the said James I. Lee my executors administrators and all and every other person or persons whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 30th December 1855.

James Lee (Seal)

This Deed of Gift made the first day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty six from James I. Lee of the County of Franklin in the State of Mississippi of the first part. To his children Luther Maxwell Lee, James Alexander Lee, Needham Lee and Sophronia Lee of the same County and State of the second part ? that I James I. Lee of the said first part having expended disproportionals sum of money in the education and advancement of my children and being now advanced in years, and desirious before my death to make such disposal, by gift of a part of my personal estate unto my said children, so that such equal distribution as the law shall make of the balance of my estate after my death will be altogether as I wish and desire. Now then for and in consideration of the natural love and affection I have and bear unto my children by these present. I the said James I. Lee of the said first part, do give, grant, alien and convey unto my said children of the said second part the following described personal property - Slaves - as follows to wit:

To my eldest son Luther Maxwell Lee, I give one negro boy, a slave named ALEXANDER of bright complexion, aged fourteen years. To my second son James Alexander in addition to a nergo man BARNABY, a slave which I have already given him by deed, I now give one negro woman a slave named CAROLINE of bright complexion aged nineteen years. To my third son Needham I give three negro boys, Slaves named WASHINGTON, ELIAS and AARON, all of dark complexion and aged respectively twenty, sixteen and seven years. These three slaves however are to remain in my possession and subject to my control until the said Needham arrives at the age twenty one years or shall be lawfully married. To my only and well beloved daughter Sophronia I give one negro boy named ADAM a slave of dark complexion aged nineteen years and two negro girls, slaves named PATSEY and HARRIET of dark complexion aged respectively fifteen and seven years, the same to remain in my possession and subject to my control until the said Sophronia arrives at the age of twenty one years or shall be lawfully married -- To them and their heirs to hold for their own purpose use and comfort forever.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 1st day of January A.D, 1856

James I. Lee (Seal)

Attest
Minor W. Lee
F. F. Herring